He was born Dec. 31, 1923, in Gann Valley, S.D., to George H. and Violet (Lewallen) Koch.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He served as a 1091 B-17 Pilot from Aug. 4, 1944 to Oct. 2, 1945. He continued as a first lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve until January 1958. He had previously lived in Goshen, Ind., until moving to Howe, Ind., in 1962.

On June 1, 1945, he married Virginia R. Sisson in Yuma, Ariz. She survives in Howe.

He was a dairy farmer since 1965 and had worked at Bendix in South Bend, Ind., before working at Sturgis Foundry until his retirement in 1984. He was a member of American Legion Post #215 in LaGrange, Ind., and was previously in the Color Guard. He enjoyed sports, including baseball, golf, bowling, hunting deer and also playing euchre.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Michael F. and Susan Koch of Omaha, Neb., and Charles D. Koch of Osceola, Ind.; a daughter, Jeannie M. Koch–Leister of Victor, Mont.; a sister, Betty Malone of Goshen, Ind.; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, George Koch; and three sisters.

Visitation is from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. today at Carney-Frost Funeral Home in LaGrange. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 2, 2013, at the funeral home, with Pastor Chuck Vizthum of Whole Life Church in Sturgis officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Howe, with military rites by American Legion Post #215, LaGrange, and the Air Force National Honors Team.